I just edited my post above. It really didn't install. The stupid readme distracted me and I was tired last night. I thought it installed. I did not scroll down through the page of garbage to see the error message.

Basically, the "feature" of SMF that uses FTP to automatically set the file permissions for the mod install isn't working, it's not seeing the files permissions change even when I do it manually with my own FTP, and it doesn't permit the install to happen.

Also, everything under packages which it is complaining about has a permission of 777.

So I created a temp folder inside Packages, chmod'd it 777. I tried an installation of a different mod I had been trying before with the same results, "Sitemap", which was also failing. It installed to completion. Same with the Anti-Spam links.

Also, for everyone's info - if this mod is installed properly, the settings are available here:

Administration Center »Modification Settings » Miscellaneous

The mod itself is fine The culprit here was SMF which seems to be pretty lacking in refinement of useful error messages for core stuff like this.